The Perfect Profile Photograph

You may not know what goes into a good profile shot; however, I am sure you can tell a bad one. It can be fairly easy to get caught up in many aspects of a photograph that are not important, in this Photoshop crazy world. When almost anything can be changed why not change everything? I think the more a portrait can show who you really are the better. We want to show the best version of you, but it's still you. What can you do to help take a good headshot? Let's take a look.

Understanding Your Headshot

First, remember it's your headshot not the photographer's. It needs to convey how you want people to see you. With that in mind, there are no hard and fast rules. However, you need to understand that each decision you and the photographer make will say something. What you're wearing, your expression, the type of lighting and camera angle all add to the overall feel of the portrait. You need to ask yourself how you want to be seen. A quirky outfit with an interesting pose is not the best choice for a lawyer; however, it might work for a personal business where individuality is a selling point.

Communication is Key

Once you know what you want to convey, it is important to communicate clearly with your photographer. The photographer will make choices around composition, lighting (if that is an option) and help pose you as needed. It's important to pick a photographer you feel relaxed around where an enjoyable working rapport can be created.

When it comes to what to wear, picking dark or light colors is not that important. Any decent lighting setup should allow the photographer to capture your dark or light clothing just fine. It is important to have your hair in such a way that allows your eyes to be seen without too much trouble. People base most of their feelings about you from your eyes. If they are hidden that can be a negative.

Dylan Huey
Huey Photography